Investing in your graduate education
Graduate and professional students at USC have a variety of financial aid and financing options available to them. In many cases, these options can cover the entire cost of attendance, allowing you to focus fully on your studies.
Our Investing in Graduate Education brochure will introduce you
to these programs, their eligibility requirements and how to apply for them. To view or download the brochure, please visit financialaid. usc.edu/grad-investing
We also encourage you to visit financialaid.usc.edu for more information.
How to Apply
Apply as soon as possible to ensure timely notification of your financial aid and to be considered for all possible funding.
Step 1: FAFSA due by May 4, 2026
Complete the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov
• Report your 2024 student income.
• USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
• Apply as soon as possible after the 2026-27 FAFSA becomes available, but no later than May 4, 2026.
Step 2: Financial Aid Supplement due by May 4, 2026
To complete the Financial Aid Supplement online, log in to your Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) portal at financialaid.usc.edu/fast and follow the instructions provided. You will find the form in the “Document Library.”
• This form requires you to enter the range of academic units in which you will enroll each semester. If you are unsure how many units you will take, please contact your academic department for help prior to submitting this form. The number of enrollment units you indicate on this form MUST match your actual enrolled units in order for your financial aid to be properly disbursed.
• Submit this form by May 4, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Step 3: Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Unsubsidized Loans are available to students regardless of income. A credit check is not required, although a prior default on a federal student loan will disqualify you from borrowing additional funds.
• To apply for an Unsubsidized Loan, complete the “Direct Loan Request” form found in your FAST portal’s “Document Library.”
• You will need to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at studentaid.gov. You can check the status of your MPN by logging in to your FAST portal.
• You will not be required to complete a new MPN if you previously borrowed a Direct Loan at another school and your existing MPN is no more than 10 years old.
• First-time borrowers of graduate student loans must also complete entrance loan counseling online at usc.igrad.com
Step 4: Federal Work-Study*
To be considered for Federal Work-Study, students must:
• Submit the FAFSA and Financial Aid Supplement by May 4, 2026;
• Indicate on their FAFSA that they wish to be considered for Federal Work-Study;
• Enroll in 4 or more units for credit per semester; and
• Meet a financial need requirement.
* Federal Work-Study is not available for students participating in online degree programs.
Step 5: Private Financing
• Some graduate and professional students may consider private financing to cover a portion of their remaining cost of attendance.
• Interest rates, origination and repayment fees for private loan programs vary and are based on the creditworthiness of the borrower and/or co-borrower. Graduate students can apply on their own, but may qualify for better rates by applying with a creditworthy co-borrower.
• Visit financialaid.usc.edu/loans for additional guidance on choosing and applying for private education loans. USC does not prefer, recommend, promote, endorse or suggest any particular lenders.
Distance Learning
Distance learning and online students should disregard the May deadline and apply for aid at least eight weeks before the start of their program, or sooner if possible.
Other Requested Information
Respond to any requests for additional information or documents within 10 days. For the fastest processing, submit documents online. Visit financialaid.usc.edu/ contactfao for more information.
Costs
The following are the 2025-2026 estimated costs for two semesters of enrollment in a full-time (8-14 units per semester)* master’s degree program for a student living in non-university housing but not with parents or relatives (other than a spouse).
Tuition*
Mandatory fees
Housing
Dining/Food
Books and supplies
Personal and miscellaneous
Transportation
Total estimated costs
Varying Costs
$ 8,028
$ 900
(Add $55 New Student Fee for your first semester.)
*The estimated full-time tuition amount is calculated based on 10 units of study per semester. $ 49,340 $ 3,587 $ 14,400 $ 81,926 $ 2,754 $ 2,862
Estimated costs for students in some programs may be higher or lower because of longer or shorter enrollment periods, special laboratory or studio fees, or other additional costs incurred by all students in the program. Some professional schools have different full-time tuition rates and flat-rate unit rules.
To view cost of attendance rates for doctoral students or master’s degree students enrolling with less than full-time status, visit the “Graduates & Professionals” section of our website at financialaid.usc.edu
Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including but not limited to Income-Based Repayment and Income-Contingent Repayment plans, as well as loan forgiveness benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide. Direct Loans are available to students regardless of income.
Federal student aid programs, including the Federal Direct Loan program, are subject to change based on forthcoming guidance and implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), H.R. 1, 119th Congress, signed into law on July 4, 2025.